Wednesday, October 28, 2015. Chaos and violence continue, the Defense
Dept wants to expand the war in Iraq, what did Haider al-Abadi tell
Russia, and much more.

Senator Jack Reed observed Tuesday morning, "However, taken as a whole
the ISF [Iraqi Security Forces] have not shown a will to make necessary
advances in the operation to take Ramadi for example. And the political
leaders in Baghdad have not made the progress needed in the broader
agenda of improving the inclusiveness of the Iraqi government and
addressing the long standing grievances of Kurds, Sunnis, moderate Shias
and minorities."

The political aspect?

June 19, 2014, US President Barack Obama publicly insisted that the only
answer to Iraq's various crises was a political solution.

Despite that public proclamation, when he implemented his plan or 'plan'
for Iraq in August 2014, there was no focus on a political solution.

No focus then or since -- not in the fifteen months and counting of the plan or 'plan' being implemented.

Where is the political solution?

As Senator Reed noted, "the political leaders in Baghdad have not made
the progress needed in the broader agenda of improving the inclusiveness
of the Iraqi government and addressing the long standing grievances of
Kurds, Sunnis, moderate Shias and minorities."

Barack was correct when he declared the need for a political solution.

Until the political grievances of average Sunnis are addressed, we
will simply be adjusting tactics to manage a conflict instead of
developing a strategy to stop it.So what were Sunnis so aggrieved about from 2011-2013 that it could result in the horrific wars of today?Sunnis in Iraq fear their Shiite-majority government and, worse, the
Shiite militias controlled by Iran and the Iraqi police. In Syria,
average people, mainly Sunnis, wanted to throw off the yoke of an
oppressive regime with a history of mass murder of Sunnis and favoring
citizens that are adherents to an offshoot of Shia Islam. In short,
Sunnis wanted a government and security forces that treated them fairly
and humanely.But Syrian and Iraqi government crackdowns in 2011, 2012, and 2013 in
response to Sunni protests in Iraq and mass protests in Syria gave
radicals a toehold among average Sunnis who turned to them for
protection and a means to forcefully air their grievances. That toehold,
of course, has grown wildly out of control.

The only real solution to the war and instability in Syria and Iraq
will be a political one that resolves those Sunni grievances.

These issues are not being addressed by Barack's plan or 'plan.'

"I think my question would be what is our end game?" Senator Joe Manchin
asked before offering what may be the biggest understatement of
Tuesday, "And the end game would be we've been there bogged down for
some time."

Manchin and Reed were speaking at Tuesday's Senate Armed Services
Committee hearing. Reed is the Ranking Member, John McCain is the
Committee Chair. Appearing before the Committee were US Secretary of
Defense Ash Carter and the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joe
Dunford.

If Manchin offered the biggest understatement, the biggest overstatement?

Secretary Ash Carter: I-I-I-I'll take that, Senator. For us, the
paramount objective is the defeat of ISIL. That will require --Senator Joe Manchin: That's our number one priority right now in Syria?Secretary Ash Carter: -- because they're trying to attack American.Senator Joe Manchin: I got you.Secretary Ash Carter: So we've got to take that very seriously.

American what?

Airlines?

What are they trying to attack, Ash Carter?

Apparently ISIL, ISIS, the Islamic State, whatever you call them are this huge threat to the United States.

Or that's how Carter would like to portray it.

Let's leave that fear fantasy alone and move back to reality.

Senator Jim Inhofe: I appreciate the fact that both the Chairman and
you, Secretary Carter, mentioned by name, Josh Wheeler. Josh Wheeler is
from Rowland, Oklahoma. He is one who certainly -- He was a hero long
before all of this happened and by his actions he saved 70 lives of
hostages and fellow members in the Coalition Task Force. So I appreciate
very much your talking about him. Since you were here before, Secretary
Carter, in July, ISIL still controls much of the northern, western Iraq
despite more than a year of US air strikes. And the loss of Ramadi?
Significant setback. [. . .] What is the current status of Falluja?Gen Joe Dunford: Falluja right now is being held by insurgents and
is one of the areas that's been identified for future operations by
Iraqi Security Forces. Senator Jim Inhofe: Well that's --
Chair John McCain laughs.Chair John McCain: That's comforting to know it's been identified.

As Iraqi Spring MC noted Tuesday, that US House Rep Jim McGovern was against the Iraq War from before it started. Monday, his office released the following:

Oct 26, 2015

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), a senior House Democrat and leading voice in the push for stronger Congressional oversight of U.S. military engagement abroad, released the following statement on news today that the Pentagon is considering greater U.S. military involvement in Iraq as part of the war against ISIS.“Today’s report that the Pentagon is considering embedding some U.S.
troops with Iraqi forces as part of the war against ISIS – bringing
American forces to the front lines – is extremely concerning. We have
been repeatedly reassured that the U.S. would not have a combat role in
the war against ISIS, but this suggests just the opposite.“This potential escalation is just the latest evidence that it is
long past time for Congress to act. Our brave men and women in uniform
are doing their duty. It’s time for members of Congress to do our duty
by voting on an Authorization for the Use of Military Force that clearly
defines the U.S. military campaign against ISIS before it becomes
another endless war.”

Senator Tim Kaine: Is it fair to assume -- we pray that this is not
the case -- that the death of Master Sgt Josh Wheeler may not be the
last death of an American service member to defeat ISIL?Secretary Ash Carter: I think we need to be realistic. We are -- Our
people will be in positions -- they are right now, every day -- there
are people flying right now, there are people training and advising
forces there and they are in harms way, there's no doubt about it.Senator Tim Kaine: And we've lost service personnel before Master
Sgt Wheeler, not necessarily in direct combat or kinetic activities but,
as you say, they were in positions of danger because of their support
for this mission against ISIL?Secretary Ash Carter: Yes. Make no mistake, they're in harms way in this fight against ISIL, no doubt about it.Senator In your professional judgment, your notion that the primary objective is the defeat of ISIL, how long will that take?Secretary Ash Carter: It needs to be -- I can't tell you.

No, he can't tell you.

And that should outrage the American people.

It should outrage the world.

There's a mission -- allegedly -- and there's no end date.

There's also no real end envisioned.

You need to grasp that.

Carter was asked in the hearing if he could see down the line the United
States going into other countries -- beyond Iraq, Syria and Libya -- to
fight the Islamic State and he hastily agreed that was absolutely
within the realm of possibilities.

Barack, like Bully Boy Bush before him, has begun a never ending campaign of war.

But they've told you that the war in Iraq will increase in scope and size.

And while I don't doubt that will be the outcome, that's really not what was being said on Tuesday.

It is fair to say that Dunford and Carter will be recommending increased US troop participation in Iraq and Syria to Barack.

That's all that it's fair to say.

Carter's not the best speaker under ideal circumstances.

Badgered by Senator Lindsey Graham (and he was badgered -- more so than
by Chair John McCain), Carter tends to struggle for words.

He stated things in the present and as though they were happening
(again, he's not the best speaker). But he also stated, in calm
moments, that the president had asked for recommendations and was open
to hearing them.

That Carter and Dunford want to increase participation of US troops in
Iraq is not in doubt by the testimony. But some reports are taking
their statements and portraying this as the new policy.

Barack has not made any decision yet.

If he caught any of the hearings (or just a recap from a staffer), he
knows where Carter and Dunford stand (as should the whole world). But
per the testimonies offered by both Carter and Dunsford, they have yet
to make formal recommendations to Barack.

Again, I have no doubt that this is where it's headed, no doubt that
Barack will go along with the suggestions but, to be clear, these
recommendations have not been formally made to him yet.

Let's go back to the exchange noted above for one more aspect.Senator Tim Kaine: Is it fair to assume -- we pray that this is not
the case -- that the death of Master Sgt Josh Wheeler may not be the
last death of an American service member to defeat ISIL?Secretary Ash Carter: I think we need to be realistic. We are -- Our
people will be in positions -- they are right now, every day -- there
are people flying right now, there are people training and advising
forces there and they are in harms way, there's no doubt about it.Senator Tim Kaine: And we've lost service personnel before Master
Sgt Wheeler, not necessarily in direct combat or kinetic activities but,
as you say, they were in positions of danger because of their support
for this mission against ISIL?Secretary Ash Carter: Yes. Make no mistake, they're in harms way in this fight against ISIL, no doubt about it.

Recent days have seen reports that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has invited Russia to take part in air strikes. James Poulos (The Week) wrote Monday:How bad is it in Iraq today? Here's one way to answer the question:
The government in Baghdad just allowed Russia to start bombing targets
on Iraq's home soil.The territory in question, of course, now belongs to the Islamic State. And the decision, reports by the International Business Times,
"comes just days after a U.S. diplomatic envoy sought assurances from
the Baghdad government that it would not allow Russian jets to conduct
operations inside Iraq."

That makes this a big embarrassment for America. And it's hardly the only one.

This issue was raised by Senator Tom Cotton and the response is as follows.

Secretary Ash Carter: We have received -- and I believe Gen Dunford
received just last week -- from Prime Minister Abadi in no uncertain
terms the statement that he will not work with the Russians. He will
not allow them to uh-uh-uh be partners with Iraq in that regard that we
are the preferred partners of Iraq. We've been insistent on that point.
And-and Prime Minister Abadi has repeated those pledges to us. I only
say that because I-we feel emphatic about receiving those pledges and,
uh, intend to have them implemented by Prime Minister Abadi. But he has
not been ambiguous about that. And I believe the most recent
conversation was held by Gen Dunford. And perhaps you [Dunford] would
like to say something about that? It's a serious issue. Gen Joe Dunford: No, Senator, I raised it both with the Minister of
Finance and the Prime Minister and, again, tried to explain to them that
our continued support really would be problematic were they to invite
the Russians in to conduct strikes. I was assured that they had not
extended that invitation and they did not intend to extend an invitation
to do that.

The Iraqi Commission of Integrity (CoI) spokesman Adil Nouri has claimed
that half of the government's oil income and funds for reconstruction
were 'stolen' and 'vanished' from Iraq during the 8-year period of
office of former President Nouri Maliki.
Speaking at the Iraqi Parliament, Nouri said that around 500 billion
dollars from government coffers has "disappeared" and is perhaps the
greatest corruption in history.

Underlining that Iraq's oil income between 2006 and 2014 alone was only $
822 billion, he said that the Maliki government had also received more
than $250 billion in funds from many countries, namely the U.S., used to
pay the salaries and pensions of Iraqi government workers and for
reconstruction projects.

The corruption of Nouri al-Maliki's reign was well known at the time --
and we noted it here repeatedly. Now that he's out of power (for now), a
little honesty can finally trickle out.

The IMF [International Money Fund] is warning that Iraq can be

Last week, the Iraq Times reported Nouri was eager to return to
Parliament. Having been stripped of his post as one of Iraq's three
vice presidents, the paper reported Nouri was frantic to avoid any
criminal charges and was eager to return to Parliament to have immunity.

Some may find that especially ironic in light of Nouri's actions at the
end of 2011 and through the end of his second term as prime minister
(August 2014).

As the bulk of US forces left Iraq in December 2011, Nouri turned on the Sunni politicians.

Nouri would then try Tareq en absentia and in a kangaroo court.
Witnesses were tortured -- potential witnesses were tortured to the
point that they died.

Nouri's kangaroo court would hand down several death sentences for Tareq.

This despite the fact that Parliament refused to strip Tareq al-Hashemi of his post as Vice President.

This despite the immunity from prosecution the Iraqi Constitution
guaranteed Tareq for the duration of his term as Vice President.

And yet now Nouri, stripped of his title of Vice President, is in a panic about his own potential immunity (or lack of it).

Nouri's legacy to Iraq is not a positive one.

There's the corruption, the theft, yes.

There's also the collapse and the brink of disaster.

In Tuesday's hearing, Nouri al-Maliki's name came up frequently. One
example, Secretary Ash Carter, "The legacy of Prime Minister Maliki was
to make the armed forces of Iraq more sectarian to the detriment of the
Sunnis -- that's one of the things that led to ISIL."

Airstrikes in IraqAttack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted 12 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:-- Near Kisik, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and
destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed two ISIL machine
gun positions.-- Near Ramadi, three strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit
and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle bomb, four
ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL artillery piece and also suppressed
an ISIL cannon and denied ISIL access to terrain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced
today that it would start vaccine treatments for cholera beginning this
weekend to prevent further outbreaks in Iraq, where the disease has now
been confirmed in 15 out of 18 governorates, while the agency also
reported a suspected case was also found in northern Syria.
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told the regular press briefing in
Geneva, Switzerland, that the latest laboratory tests had confirmed
1,942 cases and two deaths in 15 out of 18 governorates in Iraq.
“On 31 October, WHO will begin, in conjunction with the Ministry of
Health, the oral cholera vaccine treatment, and will use 510,000 of the
global stock pile to ensure that 255,000 internally displaced persons
and refugees in the affected areas will receive two doses,” the
spokesperson said.
Mr. Lindmeier said “while this number of vaccines was not enough to
vaccinate everyone, it should, however, be a strategic vaccination to
block the path of the disease and prevent further outbreaks.”
In addition to the vaccine campaign, diarrhoeal disease kits and 600,000
chlorine tablets had been distributed in the infected areas, 48
national health staff had been trained in cholera and laboratory
procedures, and a team of international experts have been deployed to
assist the Iraqi’s Ministry of Health, he said.